Bracelet catch



March 26, 1935. A, u ss 1,995,517

BRACELET CATCH Filed Nov. 4, 1953 INVENTOR. Nib/WW7. Mwaws BY I , ATTORNEY.

Patented Mar. 26, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 9 Claims.

This invention relates to articles of jewelry, such as bracelets, circlets, necklaces and for clasp constructions therefor.

'It is an object of my invention to provide ornamental articles, such as costume jewelry, in which such ornamental materials as plastics, of which phenol formaldehyde resins, urea resins and similar synthetic resins constitute the major material, whereby bracelets, circlets, necklaces, pendants, earrings and brooches may be made.

In general, it is an object of my invention to provide costume jewelry from ornamental plastics and similar materials which are difficult to have associated therewith metallic clasps and to so form the same that highly ornamental and pleasing configurations are formed with the minimum amount of labor and operations, while attaining security of attachment for holding these articles in position. 1

It is still further contemplated as an object of my invention to provide costume jewelry made of plastics, such as synthetic resins, wood, glass and precious and semi-precious stones, a clasp construction whereby these elements may be formed into bracelets, circlets, such as necklaces and rings orpendants, to obtain with the materials of the character described not only novel configurations, but also secure clasping means which avoid the difficulty in labor in attachment of metallic parts for securely holding these articles of jewelry in position upon the wearer.

It is still further contemplated by my invention to provide costume jewelry made from plastics, wood, glass, semi-precious and precious stones, in the form of a chain or link construction whereby pleasing color schemes may be obtained and to include in costume jewelry of this character, means for clasping the parts together for attachment to the wearer, and includes such clasping means without detracting from the ornamental appearance of the article, while securing eflicient attaching means of simplicity in construction and operation.

To attain these objects and such further objects, as may appear, herein or be hereinafter pointed out, I make reference to the accompanying drawing, in which-- Figure 1 is a side View of a link bracelet made in accordance with my invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view thereof, with the outer links removed to show the clasp construction;

I Figure 3 is an interior view thereof;

' Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken through the clasp;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view for a link and clasp for another embodiment of my invention.

Making reference to the drawing, it is contemplated by me to provide costume jewelry from 5 such highly ornamental materials as may be made from transparent or translucent or opaque synthetic resinous materials,such as phenol formaldehyde condensation products, urea condensation products, or similar plastics, which lend 10 themselves readily to pigmenting or tinting to resemble natural precious or semi-precious stones, and to form these elements into costume jewelry, such as bracelets, circlets, necklaces, pendants, earrings and brooches, in which the elements 15 thereof comprise individually connected links in the form of a chain. An assembly of similarly colored or contrasting colored links may be formed into the articles above referred to, to obtain a pleasing and ornamental effect. While precious 20 and semi-precious stones andplastics have been utilized for this purpose,. these Have been combined into settings of metal which, in turn, form a basis for the link structure and the clasp. Such settings, however, detract from the appearance of 25 the ornamental article, in the form of jewelry, aside from the cost of shaping and forming these metallic settings. Accordingly, an article of jewelry contemplated by me, as exemplified in the drawing, for purposes of making a bracelet 10, 30 is constructed from individual links 11 each of which are formed with orifices 12 and 13. These may be arranged in spaced relationship to form bifurcations 14 and between such bifurcations there are inserted corresponding links 15 of the 35 general contour as shown by the link 11, and are also formed with orifices 16 and 17. The orifices, in the case of the links 11 and 15,-are spaced from the ends 18 and 19 respectively, to leave projecting ends 20 and 21 respectively, of a length 40 slightly less than one-half of the distance between the orifices 12 and 13, for purposes which will appear more clearly as this description proceeds, and further, to form more or: less a continuous surface of the links 11 and 15 respectively. 45 When these links are provided in overlapping relationship, a pin 22 is inserted through the aligned orifices 12 and 16, and 13 and 17 respectively, one end of the pin being provided with an enlarged head 23. The opposite end of the 0 pin may then be riveted at 24 to completely assemble the spaced links .11 and the interposed links 15. It will be understood that though there has been described a chain for forming the bracelet, comprising three layers of links arranged in 5 overlapping relationship, as'many of these links may be provided, in accordance with the width of the bracelet that is to be'formed, and accordingly, the pins connecting these links may be increased to assemble the link elements of such increased number.

A construction of this character may be formed from arcuately curved link elements 11 and-l5 respectively. However; where the contour of these link elements-is rectilinear, curvature may be imparted by the pivotal action of these individual links about the pins, holding the links In order to provide a clasp for the circlet, in the form of the bracelet just described, I prefer to I provide one of the link elements with clasping means. .This link corresponds in contour and position in all respects similargto the link 15.'

' However, adjacent one end 26, the orifice 27 is directed inwardly towards the lateral wall to form a slit 28. Where the links are small and of rather I jj material, particularly the synthetic plastic materials previously referred to, a sheathing 29 Lis'shaped over the edge of the link and is held tothe opposite faces by pins 30, passing through orificesiil. This sheathing may be made of soft metals, such as silver, gold, platinum, where more expensive jewelry is to be provided, or copper or 3 brags plated with desirable more precious metals,-

the diameter ofthe pin v22.

"- .with'faw clasp of the-character m fefle me ely by essi t e link lrryingthejislit against the pin 22. For re-' tor the more inexpensive articles of jewelry. The

sheathing thus provided adjacent the slit :8 is

1 Qfcnned-inwardly with a loop32, fitting snugly 'withinthe slit at itsbottom portion, but,conl stricted'adjacent its entrance'portion to'provide resilientfiaws' 33. These jaws are constrictedto be space'dfromeach other for a distanceless than described. en

the linkageis pinchedto tilt the ends 21 1;; and'28out of the plane of the outer surfaces of more clearlyshown in Figure 4. The V projecting ends 21 and 28 respectively, fprovide convenient-manipulating means for appressureand ser've'to, readily'disengage the slit and'pin from. each other. Normally, the tension of thelinksagainst-each other will serve to hold the pin'in engagement. with the slit formed in the link 25.

Where the links are made of heavier stocfiihe sheathing'zil'inay'be omitted andthe clasp may .be in accordance with the embodiment m embodiment, a

link mi; provided with as inithe embodideicribe'dzbilwhere, however, this ,formd link isto seryeasa clasp, a drill hole 27a p is mdviiieiiichgitucm u pr the axis of the circlet 1 is minted n s t pe J elrythen provided with a slit 28a, terminating'inithe inwardly directedwall of the 1m" and into the orifice 27a. The orifice 27a is oi a s ise'slightly larger than the pins connectingfthe individual links. In-order to ensure against accidental displacement of the pin 22 from. the orifice 270, the slit 28a-may be formed oversize, and then the end 26a bent backwards to constrictthe slit 28a to the size ofa gauge which is slightly less than the diameter of thepin 22, or the slit 28a may be formed undersize and expanded by a templet or gauge to the proper size, which will just clear the pin 22 with some amount of friction.

It will be understood that the construction illustrated in Figure 5, for forming the clasp, is

in contour-may be obtained but suitable in connection with the plastic materials, such as phenol formaldehyde condensatlon or other'simiiar synthetic materials and plastics.

- Though the construction provided and illustratedisbestsuitableforthep p eeofmaking circlets in the form of bracelets or necklaces, it will be understood that any form of ornamental jewelry may be so made where flexibility is desired by a linkage arrangement. This linkage arrangement permits a fairly uniform contour of material made from independent links without extraneom metal showing, thus permitting a wide variety of color schemes, due to the coloration of the individual links. Where such linked elements form asingle chain,theclasp describedmaybeused toattachthelinkage toamounting ofsome character, such as an earring clamp or brooch pin.

The construction as provided permits the use of the assembly of highly ornamental materials,

without the necessity for introducing expensive or cumbersome settings. thereby exposing the orna- 'members arranged in overlapping relationship forming acirclet, altemaie links providing bifurcations into which the others of said links interfit, common pivots for said links passing through orifices in said links at their adjacent overlapping portions, and spaced from the ends thereof leaving projections, a clasp .for said bracelet formed 'bylaterallyextendingaslitintooneofsaidlinks fromawallthereofandmerging ntothecorresponding orificeanddirectedtowardstheinner face of said circlet, said slit being formed with means for retaining said pivot therein, and disengageable therefrom by tilting said projecting ends into manually accessible position.

2. A bracelet or the like circlet comprising a plurality of arcuately shaped links each formed with'a pair of orifices longitudinally of the axis of the circlet, and spaced from the ends thereof to leave a projecting end of greater length than the thicknem of thelink, said links interfitting in overlappingrelationship, alternate pdirs of links forming bifurcations into which adjacent links fit, pins connecting said links passing through said orifices of the links forming the bifurcationsiand interfitting link respectively, whereby flexibility and a connecting clasp formed from one ofsaid links and its engaging pin comprising an inwardly directed slit in the side wall of saidlink connecting with an orifice whereby tilting of said last mentioned link extends the projecting ends into position accessiag new and desire ble for manually disenga ing the same from the connecting pin and resilient means adjacent the slit for retaining the pin.

3. A bracelet or the like circlet comprising a plurality of arcuately shaped links each formed with a pair of orifices longitudinally of the axis of the circlet, and spaced from the ends thereof to leave a projecting end of greater length than the thickness of the link, said links inter-fitting in overlapping relationship, alternate pairs of links forming bifurcations into which adjacent links fit, pins connecting said links passing through said orifices of the links forming the bifurcations and interfitting link, whereby flexibility in contour may be obtained, and a connecting clasp formed in one of said links comprising an inwardly directed slitconnecting with an orifice, resilient means adjacent the walls of said slit whereby tilting of said last mentioned link extends the projecting ends for manually disengaging the same from the connecting pin, the resilient means providing frictional resistance to entrance and exit of said pin through said slit.

4. A clasp for jewelry of the character described, comprising links arranged in bifurcated and interfitting overlapping relationship including a common connecting pin for said overlapping sections passing through orifices spaced from the ends of the links and providing projecting ends, one of said links having an entrance slit connecting with an orifice on a lateral wall of said link, and frictionally engaging a pin and disengageable therefrom by tilting the link into manually accessible position.

5. A clasp for jewelry of the character described, comprising links arranged in bifurcated and interfitting overlapping relationship including a common connecting pin for said overlapping sections passing through orifices provided in and spaced from the ends of said links and providing projecting ends, one of said links having an entrance slit connecting with an orifice on a lateral wall of said link, and resilient means forming a frictional closure for said slit.

6. A clasp for jewelry of the character described, comprising links arranged in bifurcated and interfitting overlapping relationship including a common connecting pin for said overlapping sections passing through orifices provided in and spaced from the ends of said links and providing projecting ends, an orifice of one of said links loosely engaging said pin and having an entrance slit connected therewith snugly engaging said pinand formed on a lateral wall of said link.

'7. A clasp for jewelry of the character described, comprising links arranged in bifurcated and interfitting overlapping relationship including a common connecting pin for said overlapping sections passing through orifices provided in and spaced from the ends of said links and providing projecting ends, one of said links having an entrance slit connecting with an orifice on a lateral wall of said link, a sheathing for the end of said last mentioned link including a portion looped within said slit forming a restricted entrance therefor.

8. A clasp for jewelry of the character described, comprising links arranged in bifurcated and interfitting overlapping relationship including a common connecting pin for said overlapping sections passing through orifices provided in and spaced from the ends of said links and providing projecting ends, one of said links having an entrance slit connecting with an orifice on a lateral wall of said. link, a sheathing for the end of said last mentioned link including a portion extending within said slit and resiliently restricting said slit.

9. A bracelet or circlet of a plurality of link elements formed of a plastic composition, said link elements being arranged in overlapping relationship to form a circlet, alternate links providing bifurcations into which otherlinks interfit, aligned orifices formed in said links adjacent the overlap leaving projecting ends, pins connecting said links passing through said orifices, and a clasp for said circlet, formed by slitting the link adjacent one of said orifices to provide an entrance in a lateral wall of said link, means for resiliently retaining the pin in said orifice and disengageable therefrom by tilting the projecting ends into manually accessible position.

EDWIN A. NEUGASS. 

